Starting device for internal-combustion engines.



H. B. ANDERSON. STARTING DEVICE PoE INTERNALv ooMBUsTloN ENGINES.

' APPLICATION FILED :MAYv l, 1912. 1,044, 1 1 8'. Patented Nov. 12,1912.

fmassa' HAROLD B. ANDERSON, OF LAKEWOOD, OHIO.

STARTING DEVICE FOR INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINES.

To all whom tt 'may conca'ng Be 1t known that I, HAROLD B. ANDERSON,

a citizen yof the AUnited States, residing at. Lakewood, in the countyof Cuyahogazand 5- State of Ohio, lhave invented acertain new and usefulImprove-ment in Starting De vices for Internal-Combustion Engines, otwhichthe following is a full, clear, and exact description, referencebeing had to the ac-' companying drawings.

This invent'on. relates to' starting devicesv for internal combustionengines, whereby the operation of the engine can be commenced withoutthe usual laborious crank# Such mechanism may be divided intoy threegeneric types: first, those in which the l lng.

. operation of the engine is confimencedv by the unwinding of a springin which poten--v tialA energy has been stored during the pre- 2C inwhich the operation of the engine is begun by means of the admission tothecylinders in proper order of compressed, gas. of

. some sort stored i-n a suit-able receptacle;.

and, third, those inwhichthe operation of the engine iscommenced bymeansof 'the vexplosionain the cylinders of a charge of gas introducedtherein either prior to the stopping of the engine at its' previousoperation.

or in some other manner. v y

Itis, of course, a well known fact that an engine will sometimes startfrom the spark by reason of an explosive gasolene mixture remaining inthe -cylinders 'from the previous operation, but this operation isuncertain and unreliable', owing tode-terioration and l akage vofgasolene mixture'.

to my invention disclosed herein, for the purpose of supplying acetylenemixed with air to the engine cylinders, but most of these devices havebeen complicated and expensive, prone to leakage, and unrehable inoperation.

The object of this invention is, therefore,

Specification of Letters Patent.

vious operation of the engine; second, those It has hereto orebeentproposed to employ for Patented Nov. 12, 1912..

Application mea May 1,1912. serial No. 694,390.

the provision of new and improvedl devices for admitting'acetylene mixedwith air iny `the right proportions tothe cylinder' of an explosiveengine for the purpose of starting the same, the chief points ofsuperiority of the present device over previous devices being those ofsimplicity, economy, reliability, freedom from leakage, and cheapness ofmanufacture. l

-This invention also relates to a connect-ion whereby a. radial handle,arm, or pointer may be adjustably secured to a rotatable shaft, stem, orspindle, and hasparticular reference to a connect-ion whereby the handleof a valve may be secured to its stem or a pointer secured to a valvestem or other rotatable member in such fashion as always` to registercorrectlywith the dial graduations with which it coperates. -Manydifferentexpedients have heretoforebeenelnployedfor this purpose but thesame have been deficient either in failing to permitrelative adjustmentor in not securing the parts tightly in place, the result being thatupon t-he wearing of the valve parts or the slipping of the handle `onthe stem the' pointer would fail to accord properly with its scale. Itis also a well known fact that the usual method of securing the hand orpointer of an indicator to its spindle is very clumsy and inefficient,'.theresult. being that the hand frequently becomes displaced andindicates an'improper reading. It is also frequently the case that thehandleof a valve is called upon to effectsome secondary result at agiven point in the opening or closing of its valve, such as to make orbreak an lelectrical connection ordto operate arelated valve, and thisnecessitates an adjustable connection between the handle and valve stemso that the secondary action will take placey at a fixed time withrespect to view through my improve'd starting device showing my improvedconnection associated therewith; Fi 2 isa right hand end view i..

of the sall i 3 is a bottom plan-view of the valve hand e; Fig. 4represents'a-side' elevation cfa valve ofsl'ightly different typeequipped vvith .my improved connection;

Fig. is an edge vievsT of an indicator dial showing the application ofmy connection to the pointer or hand; 'and F ig. 6 is an inside faceview ofthe Washer which forms an essential part of improvedfonnection.

Describing the -parts by reference char-` acters, particular attentionbeing 4given t0 Figs. 1 to 8, 1 represents'a valvecasing havinga-suitable aperture into'which is threaded a stem 2, and to the outerend of this stern is secured a' handle 3 provided with a pointer- 4movable4 over a scale 5. 4`The particular valve shown in Fig. 1 has aneedle pointv' valve 'casing being here shown `as mounted upon a dash'boardll. '..Thepassageway 9 is intersectedby a recess 12 having an axialextension 13 parallel to the lstem 2, said extension communicating withthe outer air through a port' 14. Seated upon a shoulder between therecess and 'its extension is a spring-pressed valve 15 having -a stem 16extending through the plate 5 adjacent to the stem 2, theouter end ofthe stem 1 6 preferably being rounded:-

.The valve handle 3 is formed with a hub 17 having a substantiallyiiatbottom surface which is provided at one point with an arcuate recess'18adapted to receive the end of thestem 16 to permit the valve 15 to beseated by its spring. The Vposition of 'the recess 18 is such as tocause the valve 15 to assume its closed positionat the time when' thepointer 4 points toward the oit or zero position of the dial, and theadjustment between the valve handle, and the stem 2 is such as to causethe valve needle 6 to be exactly seated at this time, this adjustmentbeing'preferably accomplished by means of the connection now to bedescribed.

In order to secure the handle to the valve 'stem the hub vthereof isinternally threaded so as to' be screwed adjustably thereon, vthe outerface of the hub being .formed with radial serrations 20. An annularwasher 21 is then slipped over the end of the stem so as to engage thehub, the inner face of said Washer being formed with serrations 22engaging the serrations 20, said Washer-also having an inwardlyprojecting finger 23 engaging a longitudinal slot 24 formed in the endof the valve stem. The washer is pressed into engagement With'the hubbymeans'of a nut 25. f The operation of the engine is stopped bypreventing the ignition of the charges in the -to be about right for thevparticular engine I engine stop's, the valve handle is returned tomixture. also be employed for continued operation of nut 25 beingemployed as in' the preceding cylinders as by opening the sparkingcircuit, and as 'the speed of the engine decreases, the handle 3 isshifted so as to open the valve by an amount found by former experiencewith which thestarter is used. This movement of the valve handle opensthe passage through the conduit 8 by an amount necessary to deliver theproper quantity of acetylene 'and at .the same time forces the Valve 75stem 16 inwardly s o as to admit air through the port 14to mix with theacetylene, the mixture of-the two gases being drawn into the cylindersby' suction. As soon `as the off position, thus ,closing the needlevalve 6 80 and permitting the re-seating ofthe air valve 15 by itsspring. The recess 18 ismade of `elongated shape in order to avoid thenecessity of bringing the handle'back to an exact fixed position.'Theobject of using the valve '15 is to prevent air from being drawnthrough the conduit 10 into the manifold of the' engine durin its normaloperation by gasolene, since t e air so admitted would tend to disturbthe proportions ofthe fuel My improved starting device can the engine inA'case the gasolene supply becomes exhausted.

The valve illustrated in Fig. 4 is of much 95 *the same type. as thatshown in Fig. 1 and comprises a casing 1 a having conduits 8 and 9securedthereto and providedwitha simil f lar threaded stem 2. Theremaining arts '100 are the same as those above illustrate and describedand are similarly numbered the sole diilerencc `beingin the omissionoithe i air inlet valve together with its stem and` the correspondingomission of the recess 18. '105 In this instance the sole object of theadjust-A ment of the handle is to cause they pointer 4 thereof toregister correctly with the 'graduations ofthe scale 5. This valve maybey employed either for the lamps or the starting mechanism of anautomobile or for -any other location where a valve is desired.

When used as .an engine starter, undiluted gas is delivered by theconduit 10 to the intake manifold as before, the necessary air beingadmitted through the usual throttle.

In Fig. 5 I have illustrated the application of my improved connectionto an indicator vor gage dial, the same comprising a scale 5,

a spindle or arbor 2a and a handle 4, said 120 handle havin a hub 18athreaded -upon the spindle 'or ar or and provided with serrations 20 onits outer face, the washer 21 and instance.

It will be understood that many changesl in details of construction andarrangement of parts can be made in my improved starter withoutsacrificing the advantages thereof or departing from the scope of myinven- 130 tion. It will also be understood that the uses andembodiments of the connection disclosed herein are illustrative 'merelyand eating pointer is. to be connected to a spindle or arbor, Whetherthat rotating member be t-he stem of the valve or other device, orwhether that spindle be a part of a gage,

y clock, speed indicator, compass, or the like'.

lVhile I have Vdescribed my.,invention in detail, I do not, therefore,propose to be' limited to such details, except as the same may bepositively included in the claims hereto annexed, or may be renderednecessary b v the prior stateof the art.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

l. In a starting device for internal com-v bustion engines, thecombination, Witha casing havinga chamber therein and an air, .inletport communicating Witlrsaid cham' ber', of a conduit for 'conveyinggaseous )hydro-carbon to said chamber, a valve mem ber for controllingthe passage throughsaid conduit, a valve member for controlling theadmission of air through said port, a conduit `fonconveying mixed airand gas to the engine cylinders. and means `whereby said valves will beopened and closed substantially simultaneously.

2. In a starting device,l for'internal combustionengines,'the'combination, with a casing having a chamber' therein and an airinlet port communicating with said chamber, of a conduit for conveyinggaseousI hydro-'carbon tosaid chamber, a rotatable valve member forcontrolling the passage through said conduit, a second valve member forcontrolling -the admission of air through said port, aA conduit forconveying mixed air and gas to the engine cylinders, a handle adjustablyconnected to said ,first valve member, and means carried by said jhandle for opening said second valve member when said irst valve memberis opened` and for closing the same When said first valve-member isclosed.

3. In a starting device for an internal combustion engine, thecombination, With a casing having a chamber therein and a threaded stemrotatably mounted insaid chamber, there being a second chamber in saidcasing communicating with said first chamber and a port connecting saidsecond chamber with the outside air of a conduit -for conveying gaseoushydro-carbon to said first chamber, a needle point carried by said stemand regulating the passage of hydrocarbon into said rst chamber, a valvemember in said second chamber and lclosing said a rst stem, ahandle'adjustablv secured to said first. valve stem and having a portionadapted to engage the stem of said second combustion engine, thecombination, ivitha casing having a chamber therein and a portconnecting said vchamber with the outside air, there being a passage insaid casing for conveying gaseous hydro-carbon to said chamber, of avalve controlling said passage and having a rotatable stem, a valvemember in said chamber for closing said port, said second valve memberhaving a stem substantially parallel with said first stem. a spring forholding said second valve member normally Ain closed position, a handlead'justably secured to said first stem andhaving a cam portion adaptedto engage the stem of said second valve member to unseat 4the same ivhensaid rst valve member is unseated, and means for placing. said chamberinto communication ivith-the engine cylinders.

f 5. Iii a starting device for explosion en gines of the type having aninlet manifold and a throttle, there being an inletl valve between saidmanifold and each of the engine cylinders, in combination, a valvecasing, a conduit for supplying fixedhydro-carbon gas to said casing, Jaconduit connecting said casing Withsaid `manifold at a point betweensaid throttle and said ,inlet valve, and :t measuring valve in saidcasing and adapted to control the passage therethrough.

6. In a starting device for explosion engines of the type having aninlet manitoldv Vand a throttle, there being an inlet valve be- 'tweensaid manifold and each of the engine cylinders, in combination, 'a valvecasing, a. conduitfor supplying hired-hydrocarbon gas to said casing, aconduitconnecting said casing with said manifold at -a point betweensaid throttle and said inlet valve, a rotatable valve member in saidcasing and adapted to control the passagey therethrough, a dial for saidvalve member, and a pointer adjustably secured to said-valve member andcooperating with said dial.

7 In a device of the character described, the combination with arotatable member, of a second member rotatably mounted and having aserrated face, said first member being formed with a longitudinalgroove, -a Washer having a serrated face' adapted to engage thecorresponding face of second member and having a linger adapted toengagesaid groove, and means whereby said Washer may be clamped against saidsecond member.v A

.8. In a device 4of the character described, the combination Wit-h arotatable member, of a second member threaded thereon, a Washerlslidably mounted on said rotatable member Vmounted von said cylindricalI .and nonrotatably interloeked therewith, the

adjacent 4faces 'of said washer and second .member belng formed withinteren aging port-ions, l and av nut' secured to sai lirst memberoutslde of sald'washer whereby said washer 1s clamped against saldsecond member.

9. 'In ra device of thecharacter describe-d,

i t'he combination, with a rotatablel member having threads, of a secondmember having threads meshing with the threads of said first member, apart longitudinally movable with respect to said iirst member andnonrotatably interlocked therewith, interengaging means carried by saidpart and said first member for preventing relativelrotation thereof, andmeansfor securing'said part in engagement with said irst member.

10. lIn a device'of the charaeter described,\\

the combination, witha .rotatable-member -having av generallycylindrical portion, of a second I I'iem-belr rotativel .butnottranslatably mounted on said cy indrical portion, a

I. third member translatably but not rotatably -interlocked therewith,interengaging means ortion,4 said carried by said part andsaid hub forpreventing relative rotation thereof, and means for securing said partin engagement with said hub.

12. In a device Vof the character described, v

lthe combinat-ion, with a circular dial .and an member and having aprojection engaging said groove, interengaging means carried by saidwasher and said hub for preif'enting relative rotation thereof, and anut threaded on said rotatable member for securing said Washer in'engagement with said hub.

13. In a device of the character described, the combination, with agraduated scale and a rotatable,l externally threaded member having alongitudinal groove vintersecting said threads, of a pointer coperatingwith said scale and having a hub threaded upon said rotatable member',said hub having a serrated face, a washer surrounding said threadedmember and having serrations engaging said first serrations and having aportion-interlockedwith said groove, and a nut threaded upon saidvmember and clampin said washer against said hub.

n testimonyr whereof, I 4hereunto aiiix my signature in the presence oftwo witnesses.

HAROLD B. ANDERSON. Witnesses:

l BYRON B. BnooKwAY, VQA. WALKminYEn.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner ot Patents,

l Washington, D. 0., l'

